NEWS WATCH

NEWS WATCH; A Lilliputian Printer For Palm Handheld Devices

By J. D. BIERSDORFER

Published: May 18, 2000

Got a Palm P.D.A. and no place to print? Monarch Marking Systems has developed a small portable printer that snaps on to the Palm and allows users to print text, graphics and bar codes from their handheld computers.

The Monarch 6015 Printer, whichs sells for $399, weighs less than 16 ounces and runs on four AA batteries or an optional AC adapter. The Monarch 6015 uses a roll of thermal paper and can print documents 2 inches by 4 inches. Information on how to order is available at www.monarch.com.

The current version of the printer will work with the larger Palm III and Palm VII devices, and a model that will fit the petite Palm V series is being developed. Another version of the printer will offer a magnetic-stripe reader so that a user can swipe a credit card and print out a receipt on the spot.

While the printer may appeal most to those who spend their days hanging around bar codes and other professional applications, the Monarch 6015 could be helpful around the house for printing grocery lists, recipes, calendars and business cards. Users of the Palm VII may find the Monarch printer useful for printing out directions from the MapQuest Web site, movie and flight schedules, e-mail messages and articles from some of the online versions of The Wall Street Journal and other news sources.

Although unsuitable for printing out term papers, the Monarch may find its way into the hallowed halls of academia anyway. The company says that schools have inquired about using the 6015 to print detention slips on the spot. J. D. BIERSDORFER